Apparatus and Method for Initializing Telematics Terminal

ABSTRACT

A method and apparatus for initializing a telematics terminal includes generating a door open signal corresponding to an open state of a door of a vehicle. The telematics terminal is initialized based on the door open signal. An accessory signal corresponding to a position or change in operating state of an ignition switch may be generated. At least one telematics module within the vehicle can be initialized based on the door open signal or the accessory signal.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No. 11/275,440, filed Jan. 3, 2006, now allowed, which claims the benefit of a foreign priority application filed in Korea as Serial No. 10-2005-0000892 on Jan. 5, 2005, both of which are incorporated by reference.

BACKGROUND

This description relates to initialization of a telematics terminal in a vehicle.

In general, a telematics terminal is mounted in a car (or other mobile vehicle) and connected with a wireless communication network. The telematics terminal provides a call function, map information, a multimedia function, and/or a GPS (Global Positioning System) navigation function, and also includes an audio/video system.

A telematics terminal will be described hereinafter with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2. FIG. 1 shows a conventional telematics terminal 100 mounted in a car, and FIG. 2 is a schematic block diagram showing a conventional telematics system.

Referring to FIG. 2, the telematics system includes an information providing center 300 for providing telematics service information such as a call function, map information, traffic information and/or multimedia information, and a telematics terminal 100 for receiving the telematics service information through a wireless communication network 200 and providing the received telematics service information to users.

The telematics terminal 100 is initialized based on an ACC (Accessory) signal generated when a driver turns on an ignition key. Thus, when the driver enters a vehicle, the telematics terminal is inoperable during the initialization time of the telematics terminal 100.

SUMMARY

In one general aspect, a method for initializing a telematics terminal includes generating a door open signal corresponding to an open state of a door of a vehicle. The method includes initializing a telematics terminal based on the door open signal.

Implementations may include one or more of the following features.

Initializing the telematics terminal may include initializing a multimedia player within the telematics terminal based on the door open signal.

Initializing of the telematics terminal may include initializing a telematics module within the telematics terminal based on the door open signal.

The door open signal may be a door unlock signal for opening the door of the vehicle. The door open signal may be generated responsive to a position or change in position of the vehicle door.

Generating the door open signal may include detecting an opened state of a driver's side door of the vehicle. An accessory signal may be generated that corresponds to a position or change in operating state of an ignition switch. The telematics terminal may be based on the accessory signal.

The door unlock signal may be transmitted with a remote controller. The door unlock signal may be generated at the door of the vehicle.

In another general aspect, a method for initializing a telematics terminal includes generating a door open signal corresponding to an open state of a door of a vehicle. The method includes initializing a multimedia device based on the door open signal.

Implementations may include one or more of the following features.

Initializing the multimedia device may include monitoring the multimedia device for available storage media. Initializing the multimedia device may include loading the multimedia device with the available storage media or contents of the available storage media.

The method may include generating an accessory signal corresponding to a position or change in operating state of an ignition switch. The method may include initializing the multimedia device based on the accessory signal.

In another general aspect, a method for controlling a vehicle system includes generating a door open signal corresponding to an open state of a door of a vehicle. The method includes generating an accessory signal corresponding to a position or change in operating state of an ignition switch. At least one telematics module within the vehicle is initialized based on the door open signal or the accessory signal.

Implementations may include one or more of the following features.

The door open signal may be generated responsive to a position or change in position of the vehicle door. The door open signal may be a door unlock signal for opening the door of the vehicle.

In another general aspect, an apparatus for initializing a telematics terminal includes a door detecting unit configured for generating a door open signal corresponding to an open state of a door of a vehicle. The apparatus includes a controller configured for initializing at least one telematics module in the vehicle based on the door open signal.

Implementations may include one or more of the following features.

The controller may be configured for initializing at least one telematics module inside the vehicle based on an accessory signal corresponding to a position or change in operating state of an ignition switch.

The apparatus may include an interface circuit electrically connected between the door detecting unit and the controller, wherein the interface circuit is configured for receiving the accessory signal and the door open signal.

The door open signal may be generated responsive to a position or change in position of the vehicle door. The door open signal may be a door unlock signal for opening the door of the vehicle.

The foregoing and other objects, features, aspects and advantages will become more apparent from the following detailed description when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a view of a telematics terminal mounted in a vehicle.

FIG. 2 is a schematic block diagram of a conventional telematics system.

FIG. 3 is a schematic block diagram of an apparatus for initializing a telematics terminal in a vehicle.

FIG. 4 is a schematic block diagram of an apparatus for initializing a multimedia player of a telematics terminal in a vehicle.

FIG. 5 is a flow chart of an initialization operation of the multimedia player of the telematics terminal of FIG. 3.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

An apparatus and method for initializing a telematics terminal and a multimedia player and for quickly initializing the telematics terminal and the multimedia player when a door of a vehicle is opened will be described in greater detail hereinafter with reference to FIGS. 3 to 5.

FIG. 3 is a schematic block diagram of an apparatus for initializing a telematics terminal in a vehicle in accordance with a first embodiment. As shown in FIG. 3, an apparatus for initializing a telematics terminal 100 in a vehicle includes a door detecting unit 101 for generating a door open signal based upon a door's open state, e.g., when a door of a vehicle is opened or closed, when a control signal to open a door is transmitted to or received by the door detecting unit 101, when other changes occur in a door's position, such as partially opened/closed beyond a threshold, locked, unlocked or other state or position changes experienced by the door. The telematics terminal 100 also includes a controller 103 for initializing the telematics terminal 100 in the vehicle based on the door open signal. Initializing may include one or more of powering up the telematics terminal, switching the telematics to a standby or active mode and/or loading an operating system or content from an available storage media into or with one or more modules of the telematics terminal.

The controller 103 receives the door open signal through an interface circuit 102 electrically connected between the controller 103 and the door detecting unit 101 and initializes the telematics terminal 100 based on the door open signal.

An operation mode of the controller 103 is set to a door detection mode by a user, or upon installation or configuration of the controller. The controller 103 initializes the telematics terminal 100 based on the door open signal when in the door detection mode. Alternatively, or in combination with the door detection mode, the operation mode of the controller 103 can be set to an ACC (Accessory signal) mode by the user or upon installation or configuration of the controller. In the ACC mode, the controller 103 initializes the telematics terminal 100 based on the ACC signal generated when an ignition key of the vehicle is manually turned to an on or off position or is activated with a remote controller, e.g., to change an operating state of an ignition switch.

The operation of the apparatus for initializing the telematics terminal 100 in the vehicle in accordance with an exemplary embodiment will be described in greater detail hereinafter with reference to FIG. 3.

First, when the operation mode of the controller 103 is set to the ACC mode, such as by the user, the controller 103 receives the ACC signal generated when the ignition key is turned to control an ignition switch as a driver enters the vehicle. The controller 103 receives the ACC signal through the interface circuit 102 and initializes the telematics terminal 100 based on the received ACC signal.

When the operation mode of the controller 103 is changed to the door detection mode, such as by the user, the door detecting unit 101 detects an open state of the door, such as the door adjacent to a driver's seat as a driver opens the door to enter the vehicle. The door detecting unit 101 also outputs a generated door open signal to the interface circuit 102. However, the door detecting unit 101 can output the door open signal directly to the controller 103, e.g., not via the interface circuit 102. The door detecting unit 101 includes one or more switches to generate the door open signal.

The controller 103 receives the door open signal and initializes the telematics terminal 100 based on the received door open signal. In addition, when one, e.g., the door open signal, of the ACC signal and the door open signal is received, the controller 103 can disregard the other signal, e.g., the ACC signal that is received later. The controller 103 can alternatively disregard either of the signals based on a predetermined order of significance, e.g., wherein the ACC signal is treated as a secondary signal with respect to the door open signal or vice versa.

Accordingly, in the apparatus for initializing the telematics terminal 100 in the vehicle in accordance with the first embodiment, by initializing the telematics terminal 100 based on the door open signal instead of the ACC signal, the telematics terminal can be initialized quickly. For example, while the driver is in the process of opening the door of the vehicle, sitting on the driver's seat and turning on the ignition key of the vehicle, the telematics terminal can be initialized so that the driver can promptly use the telematics terminal.

The apparatus for initializing the telematics terminal 100 in the vehicle can quickly initialize various modules installed in the telematics terminal or only a specific one of the various modules based on the door open signal. For example, a multimedia player of the telematics terminal can be quickly initialized based on the door open signal.

The method for initializing the multimedia player of the telematics terminal will now be described with reference to FIG. 4. FIG. 4 is a schematic block diagram of an apparatus 200 for initializing a multimedia player of a telematics terminal in a vehicle in accordance with a second embodiment. The multimedia player can be an optical disk or other media player, such as a CD (Compact Disk) player and/or a DVD (Digital Video Disk or Digital Versatile Disk) player 204.

Referring to FIG. 4, the apparatus 200 for initializing the multimedia player, e.g., the CD/DVD player, includes a door detecting unit 201 for generating a door open signal when the door, e.g., a door adjacent to or immediately next to a driver's seat, of the vehicle is opened. The apparatus 200 includes an interface circuit 202 for receiving an ACC signal generated when an ignition key of the vehicle is turned on or the door open signal, and a controller 203 for determining an operation state of the CD/DVD player 204 based on the door open signal or the ACC signal. The controller also 203 initializes the CD/DVD player 204 when the CD/DVD player 204 is in an abnormal state or powered-down state.

The operation of the apparatus for initializing the CD/DVD player in accordance with the second embodiment will be described in greater detail with reference to FIGS. 4 and 5. FIG. 5 is a flow chart of an initialization operation of the multimedia player of the telematics terminal 100 in accordance with the second embodiment. First, when the driver opens the door of the driver's seat to enter the vehicle, the door detecting unit 201 detects the opened state of the door of the driver's seat, generates the door open signal, and outputs it to the interface circuit 202. Alternatively, the door detecting unit 201 outputs the door open signal directly to the controller 203, e.g., not via the interface circuit 202, and/or senses only the opened state of the door of the driver's seat of the vehicle.

The controller 203 receives the door open signal (step S11) and initializes the CD/DVD player 204 based on the received door open signal. For example, the controller 203 determines whether a CD or a DVD has been inserted in the CD/DVD player 204 based on the door open signal, and if the disk is not completely loaded, the controller 203 completes disk loading. The controller 204 checks an operation state of the CD/DVD player 204 (step S12), and if the CD/DVD player 204 is in an abnormal state (step S13) or powered-down state, the controller 204 initializes the CD/DVD player 204 to restore the CD/DVD player 204 to its normal operating state (step S15).

After initializing the CD/DVD player 204, the controller 203 changes the operation mode of the CD/DVD player 204 to a standby mode (step S14). When the CD/DVD player 204 is in a normal state (step S13), the controller 203 changes the operation mode of the CD/DVD player 204 to the standby mode in order to receive an input of a user. When the controller 203 is changed to the ACC mode by the user, the controller 203 receives the ACC signal generated when the driver enters the vehicle and activates the ignition switch, such as turning the ignition key. The ACC signal is sent to the controller 203 through the interface circuit 202, and the controller initializes the CD/DVD player 204 based on the received ACC signal. For example, the controller 203 determines whether the CD or the DVD has been inserted in the CD/DVD player 204 responsive to the ACC signal, and if disk loading is not completed, the controller 203 completes disk loading. The controller 204 checks an operation state of the CD/DVD player 204, and if the CD/DVD player 204 is in an abnormal state, the controller 204 initializes the CD/DVD player 204 to restore the CD/DVD player 204 to its normal state. The controller 203 can initialize the CD/DVD player 204 and then changes the operation mode of the CD/DVD player 204 to a standby mode. When the CD/DVD player 204 is in the abnormal state, the controller 203 changes the CD/DVD player 204 to the standby mode in order to receive an input of the user. When one, e.g., the door open signal, of the ACC signal and the door open signal is first received, the other signal received later, e.g., the ACC signal, is disregarded in order not to repeat the initialization operation of the CD/DVD player 204.

Accordingly, the CD/DVD player 204 is initialized based on the door open signal in the second embodiment, so that the CD/DVD player 204 can be initialized quickly. For example, while the driver is in the process of opening the door of the vehicle, sitting on the driver's seat and turning on the ignition key of the vehicle, the CD/DVD player 204 can be initialized, so that the driver can promptly use the CD/DVD player 204.

The initialization apparatus in accordance with the foregoing embodiments can be applied to various devices installed in the vehicle in various ways. For example, when a car owner generates a door unlock signal for opening the door of the vehicle, such as with a remote controller, a BCM (Body Control Module) of the vehicle opens the door of the vehicle based on the door unlock signal and simultaneously outputs the door unlock signal to the controller. The controller initializes/boots the telematics terminal based on the door unlock signal, thereby quickly initializing (booting) the telematics terminal. The door unlock signal can also be generated by unlocking the driver's door manually.

By initializing the telematics terminal when the door of the vehicle is opened, the telematics terminal can be quickly initialized. For example, while the driver opens the door of the vehicle, is seated on the driver's seat and turns on the ignition key of the vehicle, the telematics terminal can be initialized, so that the driver can promptly use the telematics terminal.

Also, by initializing the CD/DVD player when the door of the vehicle is opened, the CD/DVD player can be quickly initialized. For example, while the driver opens the door of the vehicle, is seated on the driver's seat and turns on the ignition key of the vehicle, the CD/DVD player can be initialized, so that the driver can promptly use the CD/DVD player.

In addition, by receiving the door unlock signal through the remote controller, which remotely controls the door of the vehicle, and initializing the telematics terminal in the vehicle based on the door unlock signal, the telematics terminal can be more quickly initialized.

It should be understood that the above-described embodiments are not limited by any of the details of the foregoing description. Accordingly, other implementations are within the scope of the following claims. 

1. A method comprising: receiving a door open signal at an interface circuit that is associated with a multimedia device and that is configured to receive the door open signal and an accessory signal; initializing the multimedia device based on receipt by the interface circuit of the door open signal; receiving, at the interface circuit and after receiving the door open signal, the accessory signal; and disregarding, based on the prior receipt by the interface circuit of the door open signal, the accessory signal.
 2. The method of claim 1, wherein initializing the multimedia device comprises: monitoring the multimedia device for available storage media; and loading the multimedia device with the available storage media or contents of the available storage media.
 3. The method of claim 1, wherein disregarding the accessory signal includes refraining from conducting an initialization which would occur in the absence of receipt of the door open signal.
 4. A method for controlling a vehicle system, the method comprising: generating a door open signal corresponding to an open state of a door of a vehicle; and generating an accessory signal corresponding to a position or change in operating state of an ignition switch; and initializing at least one telematics module within the vehicle based on the door open signal or the accessory signal.
 5. The method of claim 4, wherein the door open signal is generated responsive to a position or change in position of the vehicle door.
 6. The method of claim 4, wherein the door open signal is a door unlock signal for opening the door of the vehicle.
 7. An apparatus comprising: a telematics module configured to: set a door detection operation mode, and set an ignition operating mode; and a controller configured to: when the telematics module is set to the door detection operating mode: receive an accessory signal at a telematics module in the vehicle, disregard receipt of the accessory signal based on the setting of the telematics module to the door detection operating mode, receive a door open signal corresponding to an open state of a door of a vehicle at the telematics module, and initialize the telematics module based on the receipt of the door open signal while the telematics module is set to the door detection operating mode, and when the telematics module is set to the ignition operating mode: receiving a further door open signal at the telematics module, disregard receipt of the further door open signal based on the setting of the telematics module to the ignition operating mode, receive a further accessory signal at the telematics module, and initialize the telematics module based on the receipt of the further accessory signal while the telematics module is set to the ignition operating mode.
 8. A telematics apparatus comprising: a telematics module, a controller configured to receive one of a first accessory signal and a first door open signal corresponding to an open state of a door of a vehicle as a first signal and to receive one of a second accessory signal and a second door open signal corresponding to an open state of a door of the vehicle as a second signal, wherein the first signal and the second signal are respectively different, and wherein the controller is configured to initialize the telematics module in the vehicle based on receipt of the first signal and is configured to disregard the second signal based on a prior receipt of the first signal.
 9. The apparatus of claim 8, wherein the telematics module is configured to set a door detection operation mode, and set an ignition operating mode.
 10. The apparatus of claim 8, wherein when the telematics module is set to a door detection operating mode, the controller is configured to receive the first accessory signal, disregard receipt of the first accessory signal based on the setting of the telematics module to the door detection operating mode, receive the first door open signal, and initialize the telematics module based on the receipt of the first door open signal while the telematics module is set to the door detection operating mode.
 11. The apparatus of claim 8, wherein when the telematics module is set to an ignition operating mode, the controller is configured to receive the second door open signal at the telematics module, disregard receipt of the second door open signal based on the setting of the telematics module to the ignition operating mode, receive the second accessory signal at the telematics module, and initialize the telematics module based on the receipt of the second accessory signal while the telematics module is set to the ignition operating mode.
 12. The apparatus of claim 8, wherein the controller is configured to initialize the telematics module in the vehicle based on receipt of the first signal when the telematics module is in an abnormal state.
 13. The apparatus of claim 8, wherein the controller is configured to determine an operation state of the telematics module and initialize the telematics module in the vehicle based on receipt of the first signal when the operation state of the telematics module is an abnormal state.
 14. The apparatus of claim 13, wherein the telematics module is a multimedia player.
 15. A method comprising: receiving, as a first signal, one of a first accessory signal and a first door open signal corresponding to an open state of a door of a vehicle; receiving, as a second signal and after receipt of the first signal, one of a second accessory signal and a second door open signal corresponding to an open state of a door of the vehicle; and initializing the telematics module in the vehicle based on the receipt of the first signal and disregarding the second signal based on the prior receipt of the first signal, wherein the first signal and the second signal are respectively different.
 16. The method of claim 15, wherein initializing the telematics terminal comprises: setting the telematics module to a door detection operating mode; receiving the first accessory signal and disregarding receipt of the first accessory signal based on the setting of the telematics module to the door detection operating mode; receiving the first door open signal; and initialize the telematics module based on the receipt of the first door open signal while the telematics module is set to the door detection operating mode.
 17. The method of claim 15, wherein initializing the telematics terminal comprises: setting the telematics module to an ignition operating mode; receiving a second door open signal at the telematics module and disregarding receipt of the second door open signal based on the setting of the telematics module to the ignition operating mode; receiving a second accessory signal at the telematics module; and initializing the telematics module based on the receipt of the second accessory signal while the telematics module is set to the ignition operating mode.
 18. The method of claim 15, wherein initializing the telematics terminal comprises initializing the telematics module in the vehicle based on receipt of the first signal when the telematics module is in an abnormal state.
 19. The method of claim 15, wherein initializing the telematics terminal comprises determining an operation state of the telematics module and initializing the telematics module in the vehicle based on receipt of the first signal when the operation state of the telematics module is an abnormal state. 